When you get a new tattoo it involves breaking the surface of your skin. This creates a possibility where, if not cared for properly, the skin can become infected. By following the advice of this article you will promote and ensure the correct healing of your new tattoo.
HOW TO TREAT YOUR TATTOO
Your tattoo is an area of tiny skin breaks which have been caused by the penetration of several needles carrying ink into your skin.
It is important that you keep wearing the sterile dressing applied by your tattooist for at least an hour after it is applied. This should provide enough time for the tattoo to stop weeping.
Once you remove the dressing, you should wash the tattoo gently with warm tap water and pat it dry with a clean sheet of kitchen roll.
You should also avoid using bathroom towels which have already been used by other people.
After washing and drying your tattoo, leave the area to air dry for up to 10 minutes. Apply an occlusive skin cream to stop the skin from drying out, this provides an infection barrier and reduces scabbing.
The creams we recommend for treating your healing tattoo are: Bepanthen, Palmers Cocoa Butter, or Aveeno Cream (we’ve linked each of the cream names to their product page on Amazon, so that you can click, order, and receive them super fast!).
You should aim to wash the area and apply the cream approximately 2-3 times a day for up to 10 days after your tattoo appointment. You will notice within this period that the skin will start to peel away as if you’ve had a sunburn. This is normal and nothing to worry about.
Everyone heals at a different rate and healing times depend on many factors. Most scabbing should disappear within approximately 2 weeks.
GENERAL TIPS FOR AFTERCARE OF YOUR TATTOO
- If possible, shower rather than bathing during the healing period. This prevents unnecessary water exposure.
- Always pat dry your tattoo with a separate towel or kitchen roll until healed.
- Do not pick your tattoo as this will increase the healing time and will also lessen the quality of the healed tattoo.
- Avoid swimming, sunbathing, and sun beds until your tattoo has fully healed (approximately 2 weeks).
- Where possible, minimise the amount of ‘rubbing’ from tight fit clothing. Wear loose fitting clothing around the area of the tattoo. This will minimise the irritation of the skin around your new tattoo.
- Keep your tattoo covered if you work in a dirty or dusty environment.
If you have any problems or questions at any time after your tattoo, you should contact your tattoo artist to ask their advice in the first instance. It may be the case that they refer you to your GP, or reassure you that what you are seeing is normal, and part of the body’s natural healing process.
IN AN EMERGENCY YOU SHOULD ALWAYS SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION EITHER AT YOUR GP SURGERY OR AT A HOSPITAL ACCIDENT AND EMERGENCY (A&E) DEPARTMENT.
